We’re in Every Ward, but Rarely in the Boardroom
Black women are the heartbeat of Ireland’s healthcare system. We are doctors, nurses, midwives, care workers, therapists, and researchers. We care for patients, mentor students, and manage complex care every day.
But despite our presence in nearly every corner of healthcare, we are still missing from one place: positions of power. Recognition is rare. Leadership opportunities are limited. And when decisions are made, our voices are too often left out.
“We’re expected to serve but not always supported to succeed.”
Overlooked at Every Level
It’s a mistake to think this only affects international recruits. Many Black healthcare professionals have trained right here in Ireland earning their degrees from Irish universities, excelling in placements, and committing their careers to Irish patients. And yet, even those trained in Irish institutions often find themselves overlooked for promotions, development
opportunities, or leadership roles.
We are qualified. We are experienced. But we are still being left behind.
A System That Relies on Us, But Doesn’t Reflect Us
My study, “The Lived Experience of Racial Discrimination Among Ethnic Minority Healthcare Professionals in Ireland and how it affect their health and well-being,” this research, including work presented at the SPHeRE and EUPHA health conferences, gave a voice to the stories behind these consistent pattern: Black women across healthcare professions experience microaggressions, implicit bias, exclusion from leadership tracks, and limited promotion opportunities.
These issues aren’t just anecdotal they are systemic. And they are costing the healthcare system valuable talent, innovation, and trust. Participants spoke about being left out of leadership discussions, feeling dismissed in clinical decision-making, or hitting invisible walls when trying to advance.
The message was clear: the system was not built with us in mind.
Recruited, But Not Included
Ireland has increased international recruitment to address staffing shortages, especially in nursing and support roles. But inclusion hasn’t caught up. Black women healthcare workers, whether trained abroad or at home, often feel they need to work harder just to prove their
worth and still see fewer opportunities to grow.
Mentorship is rare. Career pathways are unclear. And cultural misunderstandings or biases continue to impact day-to-day interactions with patients, colleagues, and management.
Are Institutions Doing Enough?
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) have made initial steps in addressing workplace inequity. But others including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), and the Medical Council must take a more active role in dismantling
structural barriers.
Equity doesn’t happen with slogans it happens with policy, leadership, and accountability.
What Needs to Change
To create a truly fair healthcare system, we must:
- Develop leadership and development programmes for Black women across healthcare roles
- Build meaningful mentorship and sponsorship networks
- Create transparency in hiring and promotions
- Enforce policies that address racism and discrimination with real consequences
Specialist nurse, researcher, author, mentor, entrepreneur, and activist. A triple graduate of Trinity College Dublin with degrees in Nursing, Disability Studies, and Healthcare Management. Owner of “Jam-Ire” bakery and co-author of two books amplifying Black Irish women’s voices. Actively engaged in committees focused on inclusion and women’s empowerment.
Last modified: August 4, 2025